Marijuana helps control blood sugar? A new study has surprising results

Thanks to a new study, there may be one more medicinal reason to smoke marijuana. In a study of 4,700 Americans, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston has found that those who use marijuana may have lower levels of insulin resistance, which is a precursor to diabetes,
Reuters reports.

Dr.
Murray Mittleman, who worked on the study, is careful to note the findings are only preliminary. "It looks like there may be some favorable effects on blood sugar control," he adds, "However a lot more needs to be done to have definitive answers on the risks and potential benefits of marijuana usage."

The data used in the study was pulled from a national health survey, conducted between 2005 and 2010. Of the 4,700 respondents, just under 2,000 had used marijuana in the past but not recently, while around 600 were current users. In the findings, recent use of the drug was linked to a 17 percent lower insulin resistance level, along with a slightly higher HDL cholesterol level (the "good" cholesterol).

The study found no difference in blood pressure or blood fats, regardless of use.